152 



FESTS OF GARDEN AND FIELD CROPS 



The Twelve-spotted Cucumber Beetle {Diabrotica 

 duodecimpundata Oliv.) 



This insect, in its larval stage, is known in the South as the southern 



corn root- worm, where it is a pest of corn and other field crops. 



In the central and northern re- 

 gions injury by the adult beetle is 

 more often noted, the crops at- 

 tacked being cucumber, melon, 

 squash, beets, cabbage — in fact, 

 almost every sort of vegetable. 

 The beetles are especially partial 

 to the blossoming parts of the 

 plant. 



The adult is easily recognized. 

 It is one fourth of an inch long, 

 broader toward the hind end, yel- 

 lowish green 

 in color, and 

 ornamented 



with twelve black spots on its back. Its head 



is black. 



The adults hide away during the winter, and 



appear early in the spring. There are two 



generations in the North, and probably more 



in the South. 



Remedies for the adult beetle are the same 



as those for the striped cucumber beetle. 



The Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi Linn.) 



Both the young shoots and the leafy tops of 

 asparagus are attacked by the larva and the 

 adult beetle of this species. The shoots are ^Aspartg^s^^^ltll! 

 rendered unfit for use, and the injury to the Enlar^f^d and natural 

 tops weakens the plants. size. Original. 



Fig. 154. — The Twelve-spotted Cu- 

 cumber Beetle. Enlarged and natu- 

 ral size. Original. 



